Situation Update: Heavy rains in Pakistan could bring more devastation

With the current monsoon spell impacting Pakistan, areas across Sindh have received heavy rainfall which has submerged houses, destroyed cultivated crops, and displaced families. Communication and road links are badly affected in parts of Sindh. Some affected areas in the district have been without power since Wednesday evening. More than 700 villages of Makli, Thatta, and Badin have been affected by disrupted road links, leaving residents trapped.

Background

The roofs of houses are collapsing, resulting in injuries and deaths. Media reports have indicated up to eighteen deaths have occurred with dozens more injured. Mithi, Mirpurkhas, Badin, and Thatta are among the most severely affected districts with forecasted rains threatening to worsen the situation. High alerts are also issued for districts including Hyderabad, Tando Allah Yar, and Umerkot for the next thirty-six hours.

Media reports state that the district administration has set up thirty relief camps and a rain emergency has been imposed in Badin District. The district residents are being evacuated.

CWS-P/A field staff were the first to reach some villages of Kaddan Union Council, Badin District early this morning. From there, initial information came about displacement and families fleeing with belongings. People are taking refuge if possible; however, many are still under open skies.

In addition, the water levels have been observed to be rising in water channels in Jamrao, Mithrao, and Thar. The forecasts have indicated that rains could also provoke flash-floods across Rajanpur and D. G. Khan in southern Punjab.

In the next 24 hours, isolated heavy falls are expected across other parts of the country including Karachi, Islamabad, N. E .Balochistan, Quetta, Zhob, Kalat and Sibbi Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Makran Coast, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

CWS-P/A Response

CWS-P/A continues to monitor the situation through its staff located in the affected areas, local partners, and media. CWS-P/A’s disaster response team is prepared to respond if the need arises. Furthermore, the team is currently in contact with both partners and suppliers (food, NFIs and tents) to ensure immediate response if required.